Plant-mediated interactions between specialist insect herbivores of Melaleuca quinquenervia: implications for management of invasive populations

We studied the influence of plant-mediated interaction between insect herbivores on their relative effects on plant growth, using Melaleuca quinquenervia as a model system. Native to Australia, M. quinquenervia is an invasive weed in many natural areas of Florida including Everglades National Park. Congeneric gall-inducing herbivores Lophodiplosis trifida and L. indentata from Australia have been released as biocontrol agents against this weed in Florida.